In talking with my colleagues, I have learned that some are not in receipt of a letter from Collen Dykas, CTU Field Rep.,Coordinator. She is requesting that all teachers reassigned in 2008, attend a meeting on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at: Connnie's Pizza, 2373 S.Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL . The purpose is to address the issue of age discrimination and other problems and concerns relevant to your current situation. Please bring your documentaion showing where you have applied for a job. RSVP no later than October 20, 2009, 312 329 6233. The letter is signed by President Stewart. Also, I spoke with Collen last week and she told me to expect this letter. Please make sure that any other teachers who should have received this notice are aware of the meeting, refreshments will be served. SPREAD THE WORD!

Also, on Tuesday, we will be at the CTU on Oct 20, at 4:15 p.m. There are 6 vacant positions open for delegates. It is my desire to be nominated as a delegate, others want to be nominated also. This is very important. If you can car pool, please do so or catch the bus, contact someone and go together. We have been passive far too long and need to be proactive, the hour is late, but better late than never. Delegates can represent our interest in the Union and get to speak on the floor.

We are still working and the grievance for failure to give us a 14 day notice of termination will be filed this week. If you want to sign it, this is your last opportunity. I will bring it to the meeting on Thursday at Connie's.

We have a new email address: dartscps@gmail and our facebook dartscps and our website is: http://dartscps.weebley.com They are all a work in progress and we endeavor to give you a professional presentation reflective of our organization. Retired teachers and those still in the classroom are willing to work with us. Some of us have gotten jobs, but will continue to work with us. Many teachers still do not know what is going on. There is a need to be proactive now--before we know it, the year will be over and we will be turning another page.

Marilyn tried to keep us from speaking at PUSH, but you should know that we represented you very well. She spoke also, but talked about Katrina, endorsements--none of which are the issues. People (parents) who were not teachers were appalled. We delivered the message, everything that we knew was presented. This past Saturday, two other people spoke on the 20th day and REN 2010.

Rev. Sen. Meeks bashed all teachers in the system, nationwide broadcast, with research from 2000-2001 from the Sun-Times. We are asking everyone to write him a letter. "CTU protects bad teachers, they are the biggest gang in Chicago". "Teachers are not qualified, if you are qualified then you have a job". "I don't care if your daddy is a pimp or your mama is a whore (hoe) you deserve a good teacher. Used an analogy, Nebecannezar King of Babylon and stated bring me the pretty kids, the smart kids those who are easy to catch on". "Bring me the best and the opposite of heaven---(hell) with the rest". "Oh, he did not use the word hell". "That's what they are doing to the kids in Chicago", per Meeks

While off the air, he said, "Huberman, Duncan and Daley are doing a good job, he likes what Daley is doing".

I am a displaced teacher who is at a school, were the principal laid off a teacher last week. Now that teacher is displaced. But they want me to go to that school as a displaced teacher till December 3, 2009. The school is on probation now. They have laid off the computer teacher as well. Why are they sending me to that school, I am not going to get a position there since they are laying off teachers. I was told I was to go to schools that needed teachers not schools that were laying them off. I will give the teacher that they laid off this information. Thank you.